Jan 5, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) looks to pass the ball against Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) during the game at United Center. The Chicago Bulls beat the Houston Rockets 114-105. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Perhaps we’re getting ahead of ourselves with all this talk of Butler potentially being the MVP of the NBA this season. The soft-spoken guard from Marquette has failed to even be mentioned in the all-star voting during any of his first three seasons. Butler, and his growing number of fans, look to reverse this trend in a big way this season. According to the latest NBA all-star voting count compiled by NBA.com, Jimmy Butler is listed as the 5th leading vote receiver for the back-court in the Eastern Conference.
Fans have the opportunity to vote for two back-court and three front-court players from each conference based on their own discretion. After the fan vote terminates, coaches in each conference have the opportunity to vote for an additional two guards, three front-court players and two ‘wild cards from each conference. Coaches may not vote for players on their own team. If Butler gets snubbed by the fan vote, which is a realistic possibility given he is the flashiest of player nor a household name yet, the NBA coaches will assuredly put him through as a reserve on the all-star team.
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The normally under-the radar Jimmy Butler is finally receiving publicity because his play has improved so dramatically. The MVP consideration is a testament to how much Butler means to this team. Although his stats are good, if the award was based purely on stats he wouldn’t be mentioned among the contenders. His style of play doesn’t jive with the flashiness of a myriad of other high profile players in the NBA. That is all right though. In all honesty, Jimmy Butler doesn’t give a care if he wins the award or not. The ultimate goal for him, and the rest of his teammates, is to be holding up the Larry O’Brien trophy in late June.